Job Description - Head of HSE, Security & Emergency Response (St. Thomas) (ST.000090)

Primary Location

We love our cars, but it’s the people behind them who make them what they are. To market, sell, and service great cars, we need great people. That’s why at Volkswagen Group Canada, we are passionate about our cars and our brand and foster this same passion and drive in our people. We know that the right people in the right positions can do incredible things, and we love making that happen.

We are currently looking for a Head of HSE, Security & Emergency Response based out of St. Thomas, ON.

Our mission has started. Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory in St. Thomas will carry out all battery activities – from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European and North American gigafactories. Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, we are experiencing the transformation of mobility up close. Our goal is to contribute a positive impact to our global society, the environment, and the economy. To reach these goals we need your POWER!

As the Head of HSE, Security and Emergency Response, you will have overall responsibility for leading an interdisciplinary team to manage the HSE, Security and Emergency response teams during the design, construction, and operation of the PowerCo SE St. Thomas Gigafactory. Supported by the HSE Manager and Security Lead, you will find that this is a wide-ranging role which includes many key aspects essential to the safe and efficient operation of the St. Thomas Gigafactory. This includes occupational safety, environmental protection of equipment design support, fire engineering, permitting, emergency planning, hazardous substance control, security/threat protection, waste management and functional safety. You will be required to report regularly to senior management including the Chief Operating Officer, as well as liaising with external partners and regulators.

This is a temporary flex hybrid model, requiring 2 days in office. Once the Battery Plant is built and functional, this role will be fully onsite.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Development, implementation and management of the HSE, Security and Emergency Response teams within the ST. Thomas site, during construction activities and operation of the factory and ancillary buildings.
• Direct line management of the HSE Manager and the Security Lead.
• Compliance with all statutory Health, Safety and Environmental requirements and liaison with statutory regulators, including internal and external reporting.
• Recruitment, management and supervision of an interdisciplinary team of Health, Safety, Environment, Security, Plant Safety and Fire Safety/Fighting specialists.
• Development of a site safety and environmental management system to comply with local regulations, international best practice and internal PowerCo requirements, including SEVESO and Best Available Technique (BAT).
• Development, implementation and management of the local ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 systems.
• Development, implementation and management of a risk management process for all local site activities, substances and hazards, including accident, incident and near miss investigations along with all statutory and internal reporting requirements.
• Development of the site waste concept and waste activities.
• Provision of expert advice on HSE, Security, Plant Safety and Fire Protection issues.
• Development and delivery of a construction safety concept with our project management consultants and supporting the implementation and audit of the concept throughout all construction phases.
• Development, implementation, and management of an emergency response plan for the St. Thomas site, in association with local responders along with undertaking regular evaluation and precautionary exercises.
• Set-up and coordination of all relevant HSE, security and fire committees.
• Investigation of Health, Safety, Environmental, Security and Fire incidents including statutory reporting and generation of improvement plans.
• Overview of the hazardous substances being used on site including the required federal registrations.
• Development, delivery and implementation of the site security plan and teams ensuring compliance with corporate requirements.
• Development and implementation of a positive safety culture within PowerCo Canada.

Qualifications:

Required Skills:

• Master’s Degree in a Health, Safety or Environmental Subject.
• 10+ years in a Health, Safety or Environmental Role as a regulator or within a regulated facility.
• Minimum of 5 years of HSE experience in leading a multi-disciplinary team and working as a regulator or in a regulated facility, of which a minimum of 2 years’ experience should be within the lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working in large-scale construction process and implementation of construction best practices such as Construction Design Management processes.
• Development, implementation, and management of Major Accident Hazard Assessments using the SEVESO 3 process, including the writing and testing of emergency plans including direct experience in managing emergency situations.
• Application, Implementing and management of environmental permits and/or construction permits, including the application of Best Available Techniques, statutory reporting and emissions monitoring, including solvents, noise, vibration, odour and particulates.
• Implementing and use of risk management tools including, HAZID, HAZOP, PSR, LOPA, SIL etc… in the design and operation of in a manufacturing environment.
• Development, implementation and management of a workplace risk management process including accident and incident investigations, interventions and improvement plans.
• Development, implementation and management of HSEMS systems to 45001 and 14001 accreditations.
• Proven skills in crisis management and fostering a positive culture.
• Preparation, audit and submission of statutory reports.
• Team leadership.
• Postgraduate degree or diploma in a technical area relating to HSE provision.
• Qualification in Leadership from an internationally recognized organization e.g. Institute of Leadership.
• Experience of working in a high hazard manufacturing environment.
• Solutions-driven, customer-centric approach with exemplary project management skills.
• Experience of working in the security or fire sectors.

What you’ll get in return:

• A flexible and collaborative team dynamic.
• Opportunities to participate in exciting company events that give back to the community.
• Competitive employer paid benefits and overall compensation package.
• And much more!

*Please note that we appreciate the interest of all candidates, however only those under consideration will be contacted.

Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, family status, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, or local laws.

Volkswagen Group Canada Inc. is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities including during the application process. If you require an accommodation because of a disability, we will work with you to determine what reasonable accommodation may be available to meet your needs whether it be as an applicant or an employee. Applicants need to make their needs known in advance. If you are selected for an interview and require an accommodation, you are encouraged to advise the Recruiter who will consult with you to determine an appropriate and reasonable accommodation.